Released in the U.K. in 2008 but not appearing in the U.S. until 2014, the Best of the Specials is far and away the most generous Specials compilation ever assembled, weighing in at a hefty 20 tracks and, in its initial pressing at least, containing an accompanying 16-track DVD featuring music videos and live performance. The real meat of the collection is that CD of 20 hits and staples, the songs that made the Specials one of the most vital bands of the early '80s: all the early singles -- "Gangsters," "Ghost Town," "Message to You Rudy," "Nite Klub" -- but also "Rat Race," "Stereotypes," "What I Like Most About You Is Your Girlfriend," "Racist Friend," and "Nelson Mandela." All these and more are here on a compilation that encompasses the entirety of their dynamic, sometimes chaotic, career and while their debut remains peerless, this is a good way to get a sense of the whole story. [A 2014 reissue included all of the 2002 remastered versions of the songs.]
Condition:NEW. Brand New Factory Sealed
TRACK LISTINGS
Disc 1
1 Gangsters - The Special A.K.A. (2:49)
2 A Message To You Rudy - Rico Rodriguez (2:52)
3 Nite Klub - Rico Rodriguez (3:22)
4 Concrete Jungle (3:18)
5 Too Much Too Young - The Special A.K.A. (2:05)
6 Blank Expression (2:44)
7 Doesn't Make It Alright (3:27)
8 Rude Boys Outa Jail (2:40)
9 Rat Race (3:10)
10 Man At C&a (3:38)
11 Do Nothing - The Ice Rink String Sounds (3:41)
12 Stereotypes/Stereotypes, Pt. 2 (7:26)
13 International Jet Set (5:40)
14 Friday Night, Saturday Morning (3:34)
15 Why? (2:56)
16 Ghost Town (6:01)
17 What I Like Most About You is Your Girlfriend - The Special A.K.A. (4:52)
18 Racist Friend - The Special A.K.A. (4:03)
19 War Crimes (the Crime Remains the Same) - The Special A.K.A. (4:03)
20 Nelson Mandela - The Special A.K.A. (4:17)
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